2006 IT Woman of the Year—Kathryn Angelidis

Paychex founder Tom Golisano says that Kathryn “probably has a broader and larger knowledge related to payroll processing from start to finish than anyone I know.” Her judgment is strengthened by her ability to articulate the impact of short sighted solutions. She has seen the payroll and tax payments business grow up from a seed of an idea. She has seen an explosion of changes in legislation and technology. She has used this experience, knowledge and perspective to architect each of the most significant rewrites or changes to Paychex’s payroll systems over the past 35 years.

In 1971, Kathryn started her IT career as the second employee of Paychex, hired by Tom Golisano. She has a long track record of moving the company through IT transitions while not disturbing the service level to Paychex clients.

Kathryn is equally comfortable presenting to an individual struggling with a complex requirement, to a developer working to design a complicated concept or to a group of senior executives needing translation of technical concepts into business terms. She is one of few people in the organization who can take a concept and demonstrate its application in a real business situation.

Kathryn has been a role model for the careers of many women. She has recognized potential in internal candidates whom she mentored into positions of influence and technical proficiency. Working with Kathy is never ordinary; people are impacted in profound and significant ways. They continue to seek her guidance and expertise long after the assignment that pairs her with them is finished.

Outside of work, as her daughter was growing up, Kathryn was active in the Girl Scouts, acting as the liaison between the troop and the Girl Scout Council. She was a member of the committee overseeing the Junior Sailing Program at Rochester Yacht Club. She is currently active in the Irondequoit High School Booster Club. With her husband, she has also co-chaired several charity events sponsored by the Rochester Yacht Club, one for the Leukemia Cup and one to benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital.